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Glite Dictionary
suborder Microchiroptera

suborder Microchiroptera

9.9
A large group of bats that eat insects, not fruit
  • noun
  • /ˈsʌbˌɔrdər ˌmaɪkroʊˈkaɪrəptərə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : suborden Microchiroptera
  • Most insect-eating bats belong to the suborder Microchiroptera, unlike fruit bats.

Examples

  • The suborder Microchiroptera comprises the majority of bat species found worldwide.

  • Researchers study the echolocation abilities unique to the suborder Microchiroptera.

  • The suborder Microchiroptera consists mainly of insectivorous bats.

  • Many species in the suborder Microchiroptera are nocturnal.

  • Many species of bats in the suborder Microchiroptera are known for their insect-hunting skills.

  • The suborder Microchiroptera is characterized by bats that primarily feed on insects.

  • In tropical regions, the suborder Microchiroptera includes numerous bat species adapted for a diet of insects.

Synonyms

Microchiroptera
vssuborder Microchiroptera
  • Archaic
9.9

Bats that mostly eat insects and use sound to find prey

treats the group as currently recognized and defined by insect diet

Surface Forms

suborder Microchiroptera singular
suborders Microchiroptera plural

Morphology

suborder + Microchiroptera

The phrase is a literal taxonomic label composed of the rank 'suborder' and the taxon name 'Microchiroptera'; if a learner knows both constituents they can directly infer it denotes the suborder called Microchiroptera (a group of bats). Although technical/Latin, the composition follows standard biological naming and is therefore immediately interpretable by someone who knows the two parts.

Etymology

Suborder Microchiroptera comes from old Greek words: micro meaning 'small' and chiroptera meaning 'hand-wing', because a bat's wing is like a stretched hand. These bats are mostly small, 'insect-eating' species, so the name shows their size and hand-like wings.